The owner of an £800,000 bungalow has submitted a fourth planning application in 18 months to put up more homes on a two-acre plot.
The latest application is for planning permission in principle to demolish the existing detached bungalow, garage and outbuildings and put up nine single-storey homes on the site.
Three recent proposals by the same applicant, Nic Bessent, have been turned down for the property – Delta, in Shoreham Road, Small Dole, near Henfield.
One recent set of plans – for seven homes on the same site – was rejected by Horsham District Council. An objection was sent by Henfield Parish Council.
The parish council said that the earlier, smaller proposal did not maintain or respect the quality and character of local buildings.
Members said that neighbours would suffer a loss of amenity and that the design was not sensitive to the surrounding area.
They added: “The scale and massing and appearance of the proposal is out of keeping and unsympathetic with the built surroundings.”
In his latest application, Mr Bessent seeks outline permission for a cluster of two, three and four-bedroom bungalows.
If he receives permission in principle, he can then submit more detailed plans and apply for full planning permission at a later date.
The planning statement submitted as part of Mr Bessent’s application said: “The council is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.”
It added that, with the local plan now out of date, there was a presumption in favour of development, according to national planning policy,
And it said that recent decisions – by the district council and planning inspectors – supported the claim that the plans were appropriate for the location.
A decision is due by Wednesday 9 July.
To see or comment on the plans, go to the Horsham District Council website and search for DC/25/0849.
